ABSTRACT

Kemmerer, Harleigh. 1977. Managing tree care: contract versus in-house. Grounds Maintenance 12(1): 24, 26, 28.

In deciding whether to utilize in-house forces or contractors for tree care work, it will be necessary, for one thing, to determine the amount of use tree care equipment will receive and if that use justifies the purchase price and upkeep costs. Tree work is done differently by different institutions. Performance is the reason. Supervision is the most important cog in the performance wheel. Supervisors who plan work and know what they are talking about are on the way to gaining respect from the crew. The value of the foreman as the on-the-spot director of the work can’t be overemphasized. With proper supervision and crew leadership the men will perform. The preceding gives a general idea of what is necessary to get performance from a tree crew. The information is intended as a tool to hèlp an institution decide who should do the work. The administrative policy of the institution is the determining factor in deciding whether the work is done by in-house forces, or by contract, or a combination of in-house and contract forces.